Towards a New London Plan

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has issued this consultation document as a preparatory step toward the next full London Plan, scheduled for draft release in 2026 and adoption in 2027. It lays out strategic priorities and potential directions for addressing London’s most urgent challenges, including the housing shortage, economic recovery, climate commitments, and spatial planning, while inviting input on difficult policy choices and trade-offs.

Core objective:
The Plan aims to enable delivery of 880,000 homes over 10 years (88,000 per year), as set by national government. This figure is more than twice the current rate of housing completions and significantly exceeds levels achieved in recent decades. Delivering at this scale will require coordinated shifts in land use, investment, and planning policy.

Key strategies and proposals:

• Housing-led growth:
  The Mayor retains a strong commitment to a brownfield-first strategy, but acknowledges it will not be sufficient. The Plan explores the selective release of green belt and Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), especially low-quality or inaccessible sites, for large-scale development that delivers affordable homes, improved public access, and biodiversity gains.

• Affordable housing:
  There is a renewed focus on affordability, with proposals to reinforce and possibly increase affordable housing requirements, especially on public land and in new urban extensions. A review of the existing threshold approach is under way, particularly for Build to Rent, industrial land, and schemes of ten or more units.

• Diverse housing models:
  To expand supply and resilience, the Plan supports a wider mix of housing types, including supported housing, homes for older residents, student accommodation, and co-living schemes. There is also emphasis on accelerating public and council-led delivery models.

• Intensification and Opportunity Areas:
  Opportunity Areas will be reviewed, with some de-designated or consolidated, while others are expected to intensify development. Town centres, high streets, and suburban locations near public transport are targeted for higher-density, mixed-use development to maximise existing infrastructure and walkability.

• Viability and streamlined planning:
  In response to delivery constraints such as rising construction costs, labour shortages, and viability issues, the Plan proposes simplifying planning processes, reducing duplication with national policy, and phasing in certain requirements. It seeks to balance ambition with financial feasibility.

• Infrastructure and transport:
  Future growth depends heavily on investment in public transport. Proposed schemes include extensions to the DLR and Bakerloo Line, new metro-style services on existing rail corridors, and measures to enable high-density, low-car development aligned with climate goals.

• Environmental ambition:
  The Plan reaffirms commitments to climate resilience, biodiversity, and the circular economy. Policies will promote green infrastructure, whole-life carbon assessments, flood mitigation, and cooling strategies for homes.

• Economic planning:
  The Plan also supports economic growth by safeguarding industrial land, strengthening employment clusters, and reinforcing the Central Activities Zone (CAZ). Policies will align with the London Growth Plan and aim to secure inclusive, sustainable development.

Purpose of the consultation:
This is a discussion document rather than a draft policy. It presents options, tests political and public appetite for change, and explores how London can grow in a way that is equitable, climate-resilient, and financially viable. Responses will shape the content and direction of the formal draft Plan.